A balanced armature receiver is disclosed that includes a housing and an armature assembly within the housing. The armature assembly includes a first armature portion and a second armature portion. The first armature portion and the second armature portion are operated such that the second armature portion is substantially unstable relative to the first armature portion.

A balanced armature receiver is disclosed that includes a housing and an armature assembly within the housing. The armature assembly includes a first armature portion and a second armature portion. The first armature portion and the second armature portion are operated such that the second armature portion is substantially unstable relative to the first armature portion.

A pre-distorted electrical excitation signal is generated for an acoustic transducer having an armature and a non-linear transfer characteristic by applying an electrical input signal (x) representative of a desired acoustic output to a computable non-linear function that is a function of the electrical input signal (x). When applied to an input of the transducer, the pre-distorted electrical excitation signal results in an improved acoustic output signal.

A pre-distorted electrical excitation signal is generated for an acoustic transducer having an armature and a non-linear transfer characteristic by applying an electrical input signal (x) representative of a desired acoustic output to a computable non-linear function that is a function of the electrical input signal (x). When applied to an input of the transducer, the pre-distorted electrical excitation signal results in an improved acoustic output signal.

The invention provides a method for manufacturing a MEMS microphone, including the steps of: providing a base and preparing a first diaphragm on a first surface of the base; preparing a back plate on a surface of the first diaphragm opposite to the first surface; forming a first gap between the first diaphragm and the back plate; preparing a second diaphragm; forming a second gap between the second diaphragm and the back plate; preparing electrodes; forming a back cavity by etching the surface opposite to the first surface.

A conference microphone having a housing which encloses plural microphones is disclosed. Within the housing are a directional boundary microphone which includes three cardioid condenser capsules and an omnidirectional microphone. The housing has a rear edge wall and the directional boundary microphone includes an input end facing away from the rear edge wall of the housing. A lavaliere microphone is selectively connected to the housing via an auxiliary microphone input. A microprocessor is linked to a control panel for actuation by a user to control which of the directional boundary microphone, the omnidirectional microphone and the lavaliere microphone are active.

In at least one embodiment, a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) microphone assembly is provided. The assembly comprises an enclosure, a single micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) transducer, a substrate layer, and an application housing. The single MEMS transducer is positioned within the enclosure. The substrate layer supports the single MEMS transducer. The application housing supports the substrate layer and defining at least a portion of a first transmission mechanism to enable a first side of the single MEMS transducer to receive an audio input signal and at least a portion of a second transmission mechanism to enable a second side of the single MEMS transducer to receive the audio input signal.

A diaphragm with a hinge portion and a drive portion and a plurality of oblong frame portions between the hinge portion and drive portion. The oblong frame portions are able to vibrate independently of each other and may have different resonance frequencies.

A diaphragm with a hinge portion and a drive portion and a plurality of oblong frame portions between the hinge portion and drive portion. The oblong frame portions are able to vibrate independently of each other and may have different resonance frequencies.

The application describes MEMS transducers having a patterned membrane electrode which incorporates a plurality of openings or voids. A conductive element is provided on the surface of the underlying membrane within the opening.